Online Gardening Game Breaks User Record

An online gardening game has broken the record for the most users being online at the same time.

The Grow a Garden game broke the record on the 14th of June with 16.4 million users.

This beat the previous 14.3 million set by the game Fortnite.

Grow a Garden then shattered its own record a week later with 21.3 million players.

It is the most‑played game ever at a single moment.

The game's owners said its success is "fuelled by…vibrant social interactions".

In Grow a Garden, players care for a virtual garden.

They buy seeds and plant vegetables and flowers.

They then sell these to get in-game money.

Users can upgrade their garden to get better tools.

They can also unlock rare seeds, exotic crops, and underwater gardens and magical forests.

A behavioural expert on the BBC said Grow a Garden may not lead to a love of gardening.

He said that was like saying Super Mario would encourage plumbing.